After working as the courseware lead for the VH-71 (Presidential Replacement Helicopter) program for over a year, their funding was cut and I became the Lead Subject Matter Expert for the Republic of Singapore Air Force Basic Wings Course, I had previously helped develop the Rotary Wing flight syllabus for the RSAF. I am also assisting with LM's pursuit of the UK-SAR Helicopter program providing SME support.
Would enjoy getting together with former squadron/ship/class mates and former flight students.
Other Comments:
I remarried in 2006 to Pattie Higgins. I was medically retired (TDRL) from the Reserves in October 2006 for vertigo caused by Meniere's Disease which occured while I was mobilized as a helicopter flight instructor for HT-18 (in October 2003). I was permanently retired in October 2008. I am unable to fly these days, but stay active in aviation with my current position at Lockheed Martin. Pattie and I now live in the Orlando area.
USS Spruance (DD 963) shows her markedly straight lines in this photo taken at Barcelona, Spain, on April 20, 1980. The guided missile cruiser USS Wainwright (CG 28), alongside, had quite a different hull design. What both ships had in common was a stem-mounted anchor, revealing a large bow sonar dome.
Best Moment Finding Barq's Rootbeer in the drink machine. If you were from New Orleans, you'd understand.
When the ship's CO poked his head in my stateroom and in the Pilipino Monkey sing song said my Helicopter Element Coordinator call sign. Yankee Lima, to which I responded without seeing who it was, I want to F*** You! Which as it turned out he WAS trying to do by messing with my flight schedule.
Worst Moment My Commodore's mother passed away during our cruise. He was thinking he had to fly back to the East Coast and then pay for his own flight to San Diego. I realized we were about the same distance from San Diego as we were from Philadelphia and was able to arrange for a NALO flight to San Diego.
We were headed back to Charleston at the end of the FY. NALO cancelled our flight and for the next three days I was in Sigonella trying to make miracles happen. We eventually got a flight (after October 1st).
Other Memories Running into an old Seasprite pilot, Jeff Eaton. He was the MO on Spruance's Air DET. He was not enjoying his deployment and was definitely happy to have a familiar face to hang out with.
